|
|
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5
Newbie
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5 |
My '96 Contour SE (V6) makes a groaning noise from the front end. This occurs when the car is moving at speed and the wheel is turned. When driving in a straight line, the sound nearly goes away. It is loudest when accelerating through a curved freeway on ramp.
I have read that these cars are known for bad wheel bearings, but how can I know if this is the problem with my car?
Thanks.
1996 Ford Contour SE, V6 5-speed
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,100
Addicted CEG\'er
|
|
Addicted CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,100 |
You could test the bearing, keeping in mind that a bearing in the EARLY stages of failure MAY not exhibit a positive test result, and can still be bad!
firstly, note that the sound will GO AWAY when the weight of the vehicle is taken OFF of the bad side... so a bad left bearing will go away on a left turn, etc.
Jack one front tire (suspect tire) in the air. Grab the tire/rim at the 12 and 6 o'clock position and push/pull the tire. Any movement in the tire/rim indicates a bad bearing. Follow the bearing how-to under the Duratec Maintenance forum's FAQ thread.
'99 CSVT - Silver #222/276
In a constant state of blow-off euphoria.
Originally posted by Kremitthefrog:
I like to wear dresses and use binoculars to watch grandmas across the street.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5 |
Thanks, Ray. I'll check it out. So when I do the 6/12 test, I shouldn't find any movement, correct?
Assuming I find bad bearings, my follow-up question is, what is a good aftermarket bearing that will have a longer life than the OEM part? The car has only 75k miles - way too soon for bearings to go bad, in my opinion.
1996 Ford Contour SE, V6 5-speed
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,345
Addicted CEG\'er
|
|
Addicted CEG\'er
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,345 |
"So when I do the 6/12 test, I shouldn't find any movement, correct?"
Correct.
"Assuming I find bad bearings, my follow-up question is, what is a good aftermarket bearing that will have a longer life than the OEM part?"
SKF. Stazi, a CEGer sells them. Read this thread with his info and you can PM him.
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=wheels&Number=1228967&page=1&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=31&fpart=1
"The car has only 75k miles - way too soon for bearings to go bad, in my opinion."
Depends on the road (or off-road  ) conditions.
Last edited by Tony2005; 05/28/06 05:51 AM.
"Always do the cheap and easy ones first."
1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,143
Addicted CEG\'er
|
|
Addicted CEG\'er
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,143 |
Originally posted by Tony2005:
"So when I do the 6/12 test, I shouldn't find any movement, correct?"
Correct.
"Assuming I find bad bearings, my follow-up question is, what is a good aftermarket bearing that will have a longer life than the OEM part?"
SKF. Stazi, a CEGer sells them. Read this thread with his info and you can PM him.
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=wheels&Number=1228967&page=1&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=31&fpart=1
"The car has only 75k miles - way too soon for bearings to go bad, in my opinion."
Depends on the road (or off-road ) conditions.
I agree, wheel bearings really just go bad on cars, pending upon road conditions a good time interval is between 70K and 100K miles. My Contour needed to have two replaced at 105K miles, and my Corolla will need one soon at 104K miles, though I really dont drive it all that much in the coming weeks so I probably wont worry about it for a while.
98 Corolla LE 1.8L DOHC 1ZZFE
TEIN H.Tech Springs
Tokico HP series Struts
Short ram air intake
Tsudo Axel Back Exhaust
... if a jelly fish stung me.. would you pee on the wound?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9
Newbie
|
|
Newbie
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9 |
I would check the prices at your local dealer, sometimes they are actually cheaper than your local parts store...sometimes. If you buy aftermarket bearings I would recommend BCA, Advance Auto Parts carries that brand. Whatever brand you go with check the bearing to see where it was manufactured (stamped into the bearing) if it says China choose another brand!!
|
|
|
|
|
